The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-01-22


President OF the meeting; the company was
formed, and the frat Directors elected were
Rufus Putnam, General Samuel II. Parsons and
Rev. Manasseh Cutler subsequently General
James NJ Varnum, o member OF the Continental
Congress, was ndded to the number The
plan was to buy from Congress u large tract OF
land, on which they might found n colony as
nucleus OF n new State
"Tho purchase OF the Ohio Company is," says
Andrews, who Is perhaps the most exact OF
living writer's on the subject, 'inscparably con-
ncctcd with the great ordinance OF 1857 that
was passed for the government, or rather for
the fundamental law OF the Northwest Terri.
tory"
A plan for the temporary government Of tho
Territory was passed April 30 1884, that per-
mtted slavery till 1900, but prohibited II after
that time. In 1856 the question came up again.
At that time Arthur st. Clair was President Of
Congress. The ordinance would have been
passed the 10th OF May had It's progress not
been arrested by u communication from the
Ohio Company.
The company had been formed, subscribers
had been obtained, and General Parsons up
pearcd on the dny before the bill came up for q
final vote, to make purchase of land from Con-
grcss. This perfected scheme for settlement
In Ohio was widely discussed Mr.. Bancroft
says: ut interested every one. For vague hope
of colonization hero stood hardy band Of pi.
oncers, ready to lead the way TO the rapid ab
sorption OF the domestic debt OF tho United
States: selected from the choicest regiments OF
the army, capable Of sclf-defense; the protec
tors Of all who should follow them; men skilled
in the labor OF the field and artisans, enterpris.
ing and laborious, trained in the severe morality
and strict orthodoxy Of the New England villages
OF the day."
The famous ordinance OF 1TS7 was passed on
the 18th of July, and not until Rev. Manasseh
Cutler had visited New York, where Congress
,xnut In n,,I, cnI sto IIa
is thought, inspired the famous anti-savery
clause which forever prohibited slavery in the
Northwest Territory. His grandson, Hon. Will
liam p. Cutler, now lives In Marietta, and Is q
man Of wide acquaintance.
In the task Of drafting this ordinance and pre-
sontng 1t to Congress, Rev. Manasseh Cutler
had most efficient ally on the committee to
which it was referred-Nathan Dane, the Rep
rcsentative from his district in Congress.
Dane was an able lawyer, but he had not
turned his attention to the construction of Gov
ernment policies or the reforming of abuses. He
had useful experience In the Legislature Of
Massachusetts, and afterwards for short time
in the Continental Congress. Cutler was for
tunate in having such an advocate on the floor
Of Congress, and Dane was fortunate in having
ruch client. DR.. Cutler presented himself at
the doors of Congress with the terms OF the
Ohio Compnnys purchase In one hand, and the
terms Of settlement in the other, and both were
uCCtpUcu, anu 30 un unsuccessful WeUSuTc
which on two previous occasions Dane had ac-
quicsced in as member OF Congressional
committee, became under Cutters force Ma
tional necessity; and when the Ordinance Of
1887, thus championed, was made part OF the
great body Of American law, Cutler won the
eternal gratitude and lasting honor as the found
er of free institutions in the Northwestern Ter
ritory, and Dane secured the proud fame OF
managing the practical legislation that effected
tho great result.
The Ohio Company became the possessor OF q
million and half OF acres and the emigration
OF the settlers to the banks of the Muslsingum,
marks an epoch OF farreaching Importance in
the history of this country. No colony was
ever planted under such conditions and aus
piees. Congress had so much faith in the men
who asked to settle Ohio that II responded to
their wishes, both as to the purchase and to the
government Of the Territory. The United
States in Congress assembled, sent Putnam and
his associates to their new home with Ma
tonal blessing. Congress took its own Presi-
dent General Arthur st. Clair, and made him
the Governor OF the Northwest Territory, and
appointed as Judges two Generals of the Rev
olution, and this, too, before single emigrant
had started on his westward journey.
The whole Nation ut that time was interested
in the new colony Among the prominent men
who were members OF the Ohio Company were
Governors James Bowdoin, Caleb Strong and
Elbridge Berry, OF Massachusetts, the latter
also Vicc-President of the United States; Gov
ernor William Greene, OF Rhode Island; Gov
ernor Jonathan Trumbull, OF Connecticut: Sam
uel Dexter U. s. Senator from Massachusetts
and Secretary of the Treasury; Urah Tracy,
u. S. Senator from Connecticut; Ebcnezer Haz-
zard. Postmaster General under the Continent
al Congress; B. Livingstone, a Justice of the
Supreme Court OF the United States: Alexan-
der Hamilton, the first Secretary OF the Treas
ury; Henry Knox, first Secretary OF War, and
Joseph Willard, President OF Harvard College.
The very best brains and blood OF the young
Nation was enlisted in behalf of its first colony
and Territory, and this proposed purchase and
settlement developed in our public men u
higher and broader craftsmanship. Their
minds expanded with the growth of their
country.
The American Historical Association, Mt its
last meeting, in the city OF Washington, ex-
pressed its hearty concern in the matter by
adopting this resolutions "Recognizing the
fact that acquisition of the territory northwest
OF the Ohio was Of the greatest consequence to
the growth and development Of the United
States, and being informed of purpose to
celebrate at Marietta, in 1893, the centennial
of the first settlement in that territory, per-
ceive that purpose to be u proper recognition
of the beginning of what has become one Of
the most important divisions Of the American
Union"
The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical
Society has asked the Legislature to take action
in reference to the commemoration, ut Marietta,
the 7th OF April, 1885, of the settlement Of the
Northwest Territory, and the General Assem-
bly, has asked the Ohio delegation in Congress
to endeavor to secure Congressional action for
the erection of u monumental structure ut Mari
etta
Five great States have sprung from the
germ planted at Marietta in 1888, five times five
great States should join in the celebration OF
the event that opened the gates Of the West to
the world.
After the purchase of the land from Congress
the Ohio Company went directly at work to or
ganize colony. 1t was serious undertaking,
but the men who were interested in the venture
were determined spirits, and there was no
thought OF retreating from the bargain or from
the actual settlement Of Ohio.
The only abode OF white men at this time in
the Northwest Territory was at Fort Harmar,
on the right bank of the Muslingum, at the con-
fuence with the Ohio. 1t was U. s. military
post, and was not settlement very good
representation OF 1t is given in this impression
OF the paper.
The Ohio Company voted in August, 1881, that
tract Of land containing $3.50 acres of
land near the mouth Of the Muskingum he re
served for city and commons. That city be
came Marietta, named after Marie Antoinette
who made the cityn present of bell, which was
lost at sea.
In November, 1887. II was determined to star
q company OF pioneers to Ohio ut once. Pro
vision was made for the equipment Of party
and the Directors OF the company were request
ed TO pay us early attention US possible in the
~lTl
ssesssss -saVk